Hardtop with winter use?

[GrahamMarchant]

I have a nice low mileage 1998 Z3 2.8 manual in silver with burgundy leather which is my summer fun car and stored away in the winter, the problem is I still don't even use it much in the summer. I have been offered a Silver hardtop, with stand, cover, and fitting kit for around £1000, which I am sure is a bargain, and I am tempted to fit the hard top, keep it out of storage and use it a bit more all year round. What does everyone else think, summer use or hardtop and all year use?
Is the hardtop fitting kit a DIY job?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Yes it's a DIY job but you'll need someone to help you to lift it on. My hard top has been on since last May when I lost my indoor storage.

 

[Shelly]

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria. Hard top and all year use though we do get some great winter roof down driving days. Toasty with the heater on

 

[mwpe]

Hi and from Surrey, I like to use my Z all year round but I haven't fitted the hardtop for two years. It is still good roof down in the winter.

 

[Mint]

Hi @GrahamMarchant, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire. When I bought my 3.0 it came with a hardtop. It was only on the car while I drove it home. It came off and then I sold it. I use my 2.2 all year with the top down if it's not raining. But if you want to go down the hardtop route £1000 is fair money for what you've been offered. As Jack says though, it is a two person lift, unless you go to the expense of a hoist in the garage.

 

[Nodzed]

If it ain't pouring down get the roof down. You've got a heater My hard top got fitted once for a winter meet in the New Forest 4 yrs ago and the bloody sun came out and clear blues skys.....never again it's been in the bag ever since

 

[roadvoyager1]

Is the hardtop fitting kit a DIY job?

Not sure if this has been answered. Yes fitting the hardtop is fairly easy if you have somebody to help lift it on, however, I understand that fitting the fixing kit requires a certain amount of setting it in the correct position to ensure a good fit. My car came with the fixing kit already installed so I have no personal experience, but have read that getting the adjustment spot-on can take a fair bit of time and patience. These files may be of interest so that you can decide if the job falls within your DIY capabilities.
Good luck and if you decide to have a go let us know how it goes.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Not sure if this has been answered. Yes fitting the hardtop is fairly easy if you have somebody to help lift it on, however, I understand that fitting the fixing kit requires a certain amount of setting it in the correct position to ensure a good fit. My car came with the fixing kit already installed so I have no personal experience, but have read that getting the adjustment spot-on can take a fair bit of time and patience. These files may be of interest so that you can decide if the job falls within your DIY capabilities.
Good luck and if you decide to have a go let us know how it goes.

The fitting kit, is a "bolt on" part, 3 bolts if I remember correctly, each side behind each seat and 2 bolts in the windscreen frame. The setting up refers to adjusting the fasteners on the hardtop itself. It's pretty easy to do and once it's set up you shouldn't have to alter it. Fitted mine from scratch and including the adjustments took about an hour and a half.